Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism were three of the main belief systems that structured early Chinese society and politics. Confucianism was focused on human relations and believed that human nature can be cultivated to perfection. Additionally, the role of the government was central to this belief system. It was responsible for educating and improving the lives of its subjects through laws a political institutions that were focused on morals. Taoism was similar in this way as well. However, it took the concept of morality to a higher level. Taoists believed that Confucianists were too arrogant because they focused solely on human nature. "Dao," which means path or way, was the concept of how humans should act in respect to the Way of Nature. Taoism has a more simplistic approach to government and was focused on non-violence. Legalism, on the other hand, valued discipline and the government designed based off of this ideology had a strict legal system with harsh punishments to maintain control.
Each belief systems had their flaws, but the Chinese used a syncretism of the benefits to create a well structured society and government. From Legalism and Confucianism, laws with morals were developed, and, from Taoism, a broader sense of awareness was developed.
No comments:
Post a Comment